Method and apparatus for distributing content via diverse networks

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, selecting a first pathway of available pathways during a first time period according to predicted opportunities for a mobile communication device to access a first network via the available pathways, and directing transmission of first data to the mobile communication device via the first pathway during the first time period, wherein a presence of a second data at the mobile communication device enables an application to access the first data at the mobile communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/027,774 filed Sep. 22, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/240,100 filed Jan. 4, 2019 (now U.S. Issued U.S.Pat. No. 10,820,249), which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/170,711 filed Jun. 1, 2016 (now U.S. Issued U.S. Pat. No.10,182,387). The contents of each of the foregoing are herebyincorporated by reference into this application as if set forth hereinin full.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to a method and apparatus fordistributing content via diverse networks.

BACKGROUND

Content, including media content, is typically experienced by consumersvia devices such as computers, televisions, radios, and mobileelectronics. Media content can be delivered by service providers, whosend the content, such as television, radio, and video programming, toconsumers for enjoyment at their physical locations. Moderncommunications networks benefit from interconnectivity between consumersand various communication devices. As network capabilities expand, theseinterconnections can provide new opportunities to enhance the abilityfor consumers to enjoy content by experiencing a variety of content overmultiple devices. Intelligent devices offer means for the enjoyment ofcontent in ways that anticipate consumer personalization of mediacontent presentation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system that can beutilized for providing embargoed content;

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of the system for providingembargoed content;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method used in portionsof the system described in FIGS. 1-2;

FIGS. 4-5 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services for use by the embargoed content system of FIGS.1-2;

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal forinteracting with the communication systems of FIGS. 1-2, and 4-5;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for distribution of content to devices via networks.Devices, such as mobile communication devices, can access data viamultiple networks and/or network access points. Over the course of time,a variable set of network access points may be available for access byany given device. Each of these network access points may exhibitscharacteristics, such as available bandwidth and cost for access todata, and these characteristics may change over time. The availablenetwork access points that are available to the devices can be monitoredto determine when the devices can potentially download content via theaccess points and to select an available access path to use for downloadbased on the access point characteristics. It may further be desirableto provide access to content to a large number of devices at the sametime, such as when media content or software upgrade is released. At theplanned time for release, a device may not have network access (oraccess of sufficient quality) to ensure good download performance. Toovercome this problem, content can be preloaded into the device inadvance of the time of release to avoid network-induced quality issues.By monitoring access points that are available to a device in advance ofthe release and then selecting a network access point and time fordownload, the content can be properly loaded into the device before itis needed. Release data can also be loaded into the device to regulateaccess to the content by the device. For example, the release data canbe used embargo the preloaded content from access and use by the deviceuntil the release time and/or to enable use of the preloaded content bythe device at the planned time of release. Other embodiments aredescribed in the subject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a device that caninclude a processing system including a processor and a memory thatstores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor,facilitate performance of operations, including identifying availablepathways for a mobile communication device to access a network, andmonitoring communications between the mobile communication device andthe network via the available pathways to generate a history of networkconnectivity associated with the mobile communication device. Theprocessing system can also perform operations for predictingopportunities for the mobile communication device to access the networkvia the available pathways during a first time period according to thehistory of network connectivity. The processing system can furtherperform operations for selecting a first pathway of the availablepathways according to the opportunities that are predicted for themobile communication device to access the network via the availablepathways during the first time period. The processing system can performoperations for directing transmission of first data to the mobilecommunication device via the first pathway during the first time period.The processing system can also perform operations for directingtransmission of second data to the mobile communication device. Apresence of the second data at the mobile communication device canenable an application to access the first data at the mobilecommunication device.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a method includingmonitoring, by a processing system including a processor, communicationsbetween a mobile communication device and a network via availablepathways to generate a history of network connectivity associated withthe mobile communication device. The method can also include predicting,by the processing system, opportunities for the mobile communicationdevice to access the network via the available pathways during a firsttime period according to the history of network connectivity. The methodcan further include selecting, by the processing system, a first pathwayof the available pathways according to the opportunities that arepredicted for the mobile communication device to access the network viathe available pathways during the first time period. The method caninclude directing, by the processing system, transmission of first datato the mobile communication device via the first pathway during thefirst time period. A presence of a second data at the mobilecommunication device can enable an application to access the first dataat the mobile communication device.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a machine-readablestorage medium, including executable instructions that, when executed bya processing system including a processor, facilitate performance ofoperations, including predicting opportunities for a mobilecommunication device to access a network via available pathways during afirst time period according to a history of network connectivity of themobile communication device. The processing system can also performoperations for selecting a first pathway of the available pathwaysaccording to the opportunities that are predicted for the mobilecommunication device to access the network via the available pathwaysduring the first time period. The processing system can further performoperations for directing transmission of first data to the mobilecommunication device via the first pathway during the first time period.A presence of a second data at the mobile communication device canenable an application to access the first data at the mobilecommunication device.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system that can beutilized for providing content to devices. In one embodiment, the system100 can incorporate a subscription content service. For example, thesubscription content service can be part of a cable, satellite, fiberoptic, and/or DSL based media content delivery system. The content canbe any type of content, such as broadcast television, cable or premiumtelevision, video on demand, or pay-per-per view television. The contentcan be software content, including entire software programs, upgrades toprograms, and/or additions to programs. Content can besubscription-based, such as basic cable, premium cable, or movie channelcontent. The content can be non-subscription-based, such as “free”Internet-based content of over-the-air television content and/or singleoffers or purchases of content. In one embodiment, the system 100 caninclude one or more content servers 130 that can receive content fromone or more content sources 160. Content servers 130 can provide contentto one or more delivery networks 150, 155, and 165. For example, acontent server 130 can deliver media content services via an internetprotocol television (IPTV) network 150, an internet protocol multimediasubsystem network 155, and/or an internet protocol network.

In one embodiment, content can be routed to the IPTV network 150, which,in turn can deliver content to a gateway device 104A. In turn, thegateway device 104A can route content to a media processor device 106,such as a set-top box. In another embodiment, the content server 130 candeliver content by the IMS network 155 to a mobility network 117. Themobility network 117 can route content to a mobile communication device116, such as a wireless smart phone, via a cellular, long term evolution(LTE), third generation (3G), and/or fourth generation (4G) wirelessnetworks. In one embodiment, the mobile communication device 116B canroute content that is received over the mobility network 117 by, forexample, a mobile hotspot Wi-Fi link between the mobile communicationdevice 116 and a computer device 116B or a media device 108. In anotherembodiment, the content server 130 can deliver content over a public IPnetwork 165. In turn, the IP network 165 can deliver content through agateway device 104B to a mobile communication device 116 and/or wirelesscommunication devices 116B. Devices 116 that receive media content fromthe IP network 165 can, in turn, transmit the media content to the mediadevice 108 via direct connection, such as a USB port, or via a wirelessconnection, such as Wi-Fi. In another embodiment, the content server 130can route content via a virtual private network (VPN) 170.

The system 100 can further include authentication functions to insurethat media content is distributed only to verified subscribers of thesystem 100, the networks 150, 155, 165, and 170, and/or the mediacontent sources 160 according to service plan levels of thosesubscribers. For example, the system 100 can verify that media processordevice 106 is be properly identified and validated for receiving mediacontent over the system 100. For example, one or more authenticationservers can be used to verify the subscription status of the mediaprocessor device 106. Device identifying information, such as MACaddress, IP address, and/or SIM card information, can be transmitted toan authentication server. An authentication server can use thisidentifying information from the media processor device 106 to inquireat a subscriber database of service plan information for a subscriberwho is associated with the device 106. The subscriber database canprovide subscription status and service plan information to allow theauthentication server to enable delivery of purchased media content tothe media processor device 106. In one or more embodiments, the mediacontent can be selected based on a number of techniques and criteria,such as based on user input, user preferences, user profiles, monitoreduser viewing history, and so forth.

In one embodiment, a gateway device 104A can function as an interfacebetween the IPTV network 155 and the media processor device 106. In oneembodiment, the gateway device 104A can provide internet workingfunctions, such as protocol translation, impedance matching, data rateconversion, and/or fault isolation necessary for exchanging data betweenthe IPTV network 150 and the home-based media processor device 106. Inone embodiment, a gateway device 104B can provide access to a public IPnetwork 165 of the system 100. The public IP network 165 can facilitatecommunications to Internet-based applications, websites, and databases,such as Social Media sites and Web Databases. This connectivity canallow devices 116 and servers 130 in the system 100 to access and beaccessed by the various Internet-based applications, websites, and/ordatabases.

In one or more embodiments, a device 116, such as a mobile communicationdevice 116, can receive content through various network pathways. Forexample, the device 116 can receive content via wireless communication180A with a cellular base station 117 of a mobility network 155. Thedevice 116 can also receive content via wireless communication 180B withgateway device 104A coupled to an IPTV network 150 or wirelesscommunication 180C with gateway device 104B coupled to an IP network165. The device can also receive content via wireless connection 180Dwith a computer device 116B, wireless connection 180E with media device108, or wireless connection 180F with media processor device 106. At anygiven moment, the mobile communication device 116 can receive wirelesscommunication signals from many cellular sources, local area networksources (e.g., WiFi networks), and/or short range sources (e.g.,Bluetooth™). During the span of an hour, a day, or longer, the mobilenature of the mobile communication device 116 can greatly multiply thenumber of potential communication pathways as the mobile communicationdevice 116 travels from a subscriber's home location to variouslocations for work, school, shopping, entertainment and recreation,travel, and so forth.

In one or more embodiments, the various wireless communication links180A-F available to the mobile communication device 116 can, likewise,serve as network access points for various networks 150-170 in thecommunications network 100. For example, the wireless communication link180A with the cellular base station 117 can serve as an access point forthe IMS network 155 and the IP network 165. The mobile communicationdevice 116 can, therefore, download content from the content sever 130via the IMS network and/or the IP network using the cellular-basedcommunication link 180A. Similarly, the mobile communication device 116can download content from the content server 130 via the IPTV network150 and/or the IP network 165 via the gateway devices 104A and 104B.

In one or more embodiments, it can be desirable to for content to beavailable for use by many devices at the same time. For example, somemedia content, such as a new movie or video game, may be released forconsumption at a single time so that all of its consumers will have thesame opportunity to share a common experience with the new content.Similarly, a new upgrade to a software program may be intended forrelease at a single time not only for the purpose of providing a commontime-based experience but also to synchronize a change in softwarebehavior and/or performance of all user devices. In either case,significant barriers can exist in achieving the goal of a single releasetime. Theoretically, the best way to insure a common, single releasetime is to electrically transmit the content to each device at the sametime. However, in reality, each device operates according to its own setof individual capabilities and network capabilities. That is, one devicemay have excellent capabilities for rapidly downloading and storingcontent from a content server 130, while another device may have seriouslimitations in download speed and storage capability. Similarly, onedevice may benefit from a very high speed network access point whileanother device may be limited by a relatively low speed network accesspoint. Further, a device may experience significant variations in itsdownload capabilities and/or network access capabilities over the courseof time. For example, a mobile communication device 116 may haveexcellent download capabilities in one location and limited (or no)capabilities in another location simply due to variations in the networkaccess points as the device 116 is moved between the locations.Likewise, the download capabilities may change due to changes in how thedevice is being used. For example, a mobile communication device 116 canexhibit excellent download capabilities when it is otherwise in anidling mode, while those capabilities degrade significantly when thedevice is being used for certain applications.

In one or more embodiments, the content server 130 can identifyavailable pathways for network access for a device. For example, themobile communication device 116 can have pathways that include wirelesscommunication links 180A-F, as described above. Further, as the mobilecommunication device 116 is moved from a first location, such a premisesof the user of device 116, to other locations, such as the user'svehicle, place of work, school, church, shopping locations, and soforth, the content server 130 can identify additional pathways fornetwork access. In one or more embodiments, the content server 130 canmonitor the available pathways 180A-F that have been identified andcollect historical data thereon. The historical data can include timinginformation regarding when the device 116 is connected, or located suchthat it may be potentially connected, to various pathways 180A-F overtime. This historical data can include location information, timinginformation, device capability information, network access capabilityinformation, and/or movement information for the device 116. Thehistorical information for the device can provide a historical “transitvector” for the device 116, which can provide a historical picture ofwhen and where the device 116 is typically present and is typicallyavailable and capable of downloading content from the content server 130via one or more network access pathways.

In one or more embodiments, the content server 130 can use historicalinformation regarding the transit vector of the device 116 to predictfuture opportunities for network access via the available pathways180A-F. For example, the content server 130 can observe that a mobilecommunication device 116 is typically at a user's premises between thehours of 10 pm and 7 am most evenings and that, during these times, thedevice 116 has available network paths that include a cellularcommunication link 180A, a WiFi communication link 180C to a gatewaydevice 104B at the premises, and a BlueTooth™ communication link to amedia device 108. Further, the mobile communication device 116 canpotentially download content via any of these available pathways.However, each pathway has its own set of characteristics that caninclude speed, costs for the user, effects on performance and/orbandwidth of one or more parts of the network 100 and other devices inthe network, efficiency of resource usage, effects on the performanceand/or availability of the mobile communications device 116, and soforth. For example, the cellular communication link 180A may be thefastest, exhibit the best quality (e.g., signal-to-noise ratio) of anyavailable access pathway. However, the cellular communication pathwaymay be the most expensive path for downloading data to the device 116due to the terms and conditions of a data plan that is associated with atelecommunications contract that has been purchased by the user for thedevice 116. Alternatively, the WiFi communications pathway 180C mayprovide an excellent alternative for the user by providing a downloadingpathway that does not incur large, potential data costs for the user.Similarly, the network data path that is used for providing data via thegateway device 104B may be under stress for some reason (e.g.,maintenance or under sizing of the system architecture) and theadditional burden of having the device 116 (or, more likely, the burdenof providing content via the IP network 165 for a large number ofsimilarly situated devices 116 via local gateways 104B) may createbottle necks and system performance problems for all or part of thenetwork 100. Accordingly, the content server 130 can use thisinformation to engage in a “smart selection” process for selecting oneor more of the available network access pathways 180A-F for use inpreloading data into the mobile communication device 116.

In one or more embodiments, the content server 130 can determine arequired release date for content. Assuming the content is available tothe content server 130 prior to the release date, the content server 130can preload the content onto devices 116 prior to the release date toensure that all users have access to the content at the release date inspite of differences in network access capabilities. However, if thecontent server 130 preloads the content, then it must also ensure thatthe content is not made available for use at the devices 116 prior tothe release date so that the integrity of the release date is notcompromised. To maintain the release date, the content server 130 canembargo the content data from use at the device by requiring that seconddata be available to the device 116 for use in unlocking access to thecontent data. For example, the content data can be protected via apassword or passcode that is only made available to the device at therelease date. The content data can be encoded or encrypted using analgorithm which requires can only be decode or decrypted with a decodingor decrypting key, such as a special code or file. The decoding ordecrypting step may require the presence of a second device or access toa different network or server for completion. In one embodiment, thecontent data can include a time-based encryption that can only bedecrypted on or after the decryption date. The use of an embargoingfunction, such as encoding or encryption, allows the content server 130to distribute the content data to devices 116 in advance of the releasedate without compromising the data, while also ensuring that everydevice 116 can have a stored copy of the content data availableregardless of local and/or temporal issues with network access. Thecontent data can be relatively large (e.g., many Gigabytes), as in thecase of a full length movie presentation or a full blown set ofsoftware, and can be preloaded to a device 116 in advance using one ormore network access pathways that are available, convenient, efficient,and/or low in cost to the user and/or the content server 130. The seconddata, such as the decryption key data, can be relatively small (e.g., akilobytes), and can be transmitted to the device 116 at the time ofrelease.

In one or more embodiments, the content server 130 can evaluate theavailable network access pathways 180A-F for distributing the content tothe device 116 by evaluating the historical transit vector data in lightof preloading policies 164 and can thereby select a pathway or multiplepathways for preloading the content prior to the release time. Forexample, the content server 130 can determine that the best pathway andtime for preloading the content onto a mobile communication device 116is via the BlueTooth™ connection 180D between the mobile communicationdevice 116 and the computing device 116B. That is, the content server130 can determine that preloading the content data through the IPNetwork 165, gateway device 104B, and computer device 116B is the bestsolution for the mobile communication device 116 in light of thehistorical transit vector data and preloading policies. In this example,the content server 130 may discover that the mobile communication device116 is typically idle during late night-early morning hours when itsuser is (presumably) asleep but that the mobile communication device 116is not in proximity to a local area network (LAN) WiFi to which has apermitted connection during those hours. Further, the mobilecommunication device 116 operates under a subscription plan that makesthe download of several Gigabytes of content data via a cellularwireless communication link 180A a problematic option. However, thecontent server 130 determines, from the historical transit vector data,that the mobile communication device can access the network via theBlueTooth™ connection 180D between the mobile communication device 116and the computing device 116B during the late night-early morning hourswithout incurring data download costs. Therefore, the content server 130can determine that the BlueTooth™ connection 180D pathway is the bestoption for preloading data.

In one or more embodiments the content server 130 can access apreloading policy 164 while selecting a pathway for preloading contentinto the mobile communication device. The preloading policy 164 canprovide rules and priorities for use in selecting or rejecting differentavailable pathways. For example, the preloading policy 164 can providequality of service (QoS) guidelines for when preloading should be used.If there is sufficient network connectivity and bandwidth and downloadcapability for a device 116 to receive the content data at the plannedrelease time without risking a violation of a QoS rule that is providedby the preloading policy 164, then the content server 130 can forgopreloading of content data and simply load the content data into thedevice 116 at the planned release time. Alternatively, if a release timedownload would risk a QoS violation, then the content server 130 canproceed with selection of a preloading pathway and timing that willavoid the QoS violation. The content server 130 can thereby use therules and priorities of the preloading policy 164 to provide good QoSfor content at that time of release whether for devices 116 independentof the network access, speed, and downloading capabilities available tothe devices 116 at the time of the release.

In one or more embodiments, the preloading policy 164 can prioritizebetween different types of download pathways to achieve the user QoSwith respect to the release of the content while achieving otherobjectives and/or avoiding other pitfalls. The preloading policy 164 canbe biased for selecting available, wired IP LAN connections to offloadthe preloading from the cellular network. For example, the preloadingpolicy can prioritize a wireless communication link 180C that issupplied via a high speed connection and gateway device 104B with nodata limits over a wireless communication link 180A that is supplied viaa cellular network base station 117, where data limits and potentialcosts may apply to the user.

In one or more embodiments, preloading policy can prioritize by whichnetwork is used for preloading. For example, a mobile communicationdevice 116 can preload the content from the content server 130 via apathway 180A using a cellular network 155, a pathway 180C using a publicIP network 165, or a pathway 180F using a private, IPTV network. Thepreloading policy 164 can be biased for selecting the IPTV network,assuming necessary licensing and subscription is in place for the userand/or device 116, since the IPTV network is sized and optimized for thetransfer of large content files in timely fashion. In one or moreembodiments, the content server 130 can compare information regardingrelative loading, latency, and/or bandwidth of different networks 150,155, and 165. The preloading policy 164 can guide the content server 130is selecting a network that is fits requirements for loading, latency,and/or bandwidth.

In one or more embodiments the content server 130 can select multiplepathways 180A-F for preloading content into a device 116. For examplethe content server 130 can determine that a first pathway 180B should beused for preloading the content data to a mobile communication device116. However, the mobile communication device 116 is not predicted to beconnected to the first pathway 180B for a time sufficient for completingthe entire preload. The content server 130 can select a differentpreloading pathway 180A-F that is predicted to have sufficientavailability or can select a second pathway 180A with which to completea preload that will begin using the first pathway 180B.

In one or more embodiments the content server 130 can determine how todownload the release data that is used for activating or ending theembargo of the content data that is preloaded into devices 116. In oneembodiment, the content server 130 can embargo the content data from useat the device by requiring that the release data be available to thedevice 116 for use in unlocking access to the content data. For example,the content data can be protected via a password or passcode that isonly made available to the device at the release date. The content datacan be encoded or encrypted using an algorithm which requires can onlybe decode or decrypted with a decoding or decrypting key, such as aspecial code or file. The decoding or decrypting step may require thepresence of a second device or access to a different network or serverfor completion. In one embodiment, the content data can include atime-based encryption that can only be decrypted on or after thedecryption date. The use of an embargoing function, such as encoding orencryption, allows the content server 130 to distribute the content datato devices 116 in advance of the release date without compromising thedata, while also ensuring that every device 116 can have a stored copyof the content data available regardless of local and/or temporal issueswith network access.

In one or more embodiments, the content data can be relatively large, asin the case of a full length movie presentation or a full blown set ofsoftware, while the release data, such as the decryption key data, canbe relatively small and can be transmitted to the device 116 at the timeof release. If the content server 130 is timing the end of the embargoperiod for the content via the delivery of release data, then thecontent server 130 will time delivery of the release data to the device116 to coincide with the release timing. In this embodiment, the contentserver 130 can sense the network 150-165 and pathway 180A-F that areactively used by the device 116 so that the release data can bedownloaded to the device 116 via the current network access path to endthe embargo. In another embodiment, the content server 112 send therelease data the day of the release of the content data from embargo andcan include an embedded time hack to ensure that the content data isheld until the actual release time.

In one or more embodiments, the pathway predictions can be based onend-to-end analysis from the content server 130 to the device 116. Thatis, the sequence of networks 150-165, gateways 104A-B, base stations117, and pathways 180A-F are included.

FIG. 2 depicts additional illustrative embodiments of a system 200 forproviding embargoed content. In one or more embodiments the contentserver 130 can preload content to the devices 240A and 240C via servers210 and 230. In one embodiment, the content server 130 can preloadcontent data directly into devices 240A and 240C for embargo until therelease data is later downloaded into the devices at the time ofrelease. In one or more embodiment, the content server 140 canalternatively preload the content data into a server 220 but not intothe devices 240B. In this case, the content server 130 can determinethat the network connectivity and download capability between the server220 and the devices 240B is of sufficient and predictable quality as toguarantee that the content data will, in fact, arrive at the devices 240in time for a smooth release of the content at the planned release time.In such a case, the content server 130 may not need to send release dataas the content data is effective released when it is sent from theserver 220 to the devices 240B at the release time.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method used by the systemdescribed in FIGS. 1-2. In one or more embodiments, the method providesfor distribution of content for synchronous release at multiple devices.At step 304, a content server 130 can identify available pathways fornetwork access for a device 116. As the device 116 moves from a firstlocation to other locations, the content server 130 can identifyadditional pathways for network access. At step 308, the content server130 can monitor the available pathways 180A-F that have been identifiedand collect historical data, including timing information regarding whenthe device 116 is connected, or located such that it may be potentiallyconnected, to various pathways 180A-F over time. This historical datacan include location information, timing information, device capabilityinformation, network access capability information, and/or movementinformation for the device 116 to build a historical “transit vector”for the device 116, which can provide a historical picture of when andwhere the device 116 is typically present and is typically available andcapable of downloading content from the content server 130 via one ormore network access pathways.

At step 312, the content server 130 can use historical informationregarding the transit vector of the device 116 to predict futureopportunities for network access via the available pathways 180A-F. Themobile communication device 116 can potentially download content via anyof these available pathways. However, each pathway has its own set ofcharacteristics that can include speed, costs for the user, effects onperformance and/or bandwidth of one or more parts of the network 100 andother devices in the network, efficiency of resource usage, effects onthe performance and/or availability of the mobile communications device116, and so forth. Similarly, the network data path that is used forproviding data via the gateway device 104B may be under stress for somereason, and the additional burden of having devices 116 may createbottle necks and system performance problems for all or part of thenetwork 100. Accordingly, the content server 130 can use thisinformation to engage in a “smart selection” process for selecting oneor more of the available network access pathways 180A-F for use inpreloading data.

At step 316, the content server 130 can evaluate the available networkaccess pathways 180A-F for distributing the content to the device 116 byevaluating the historical transit vector data in light of preloadingpolicies 164 and can thereby select a pathway or multiple pathways forpreloading the content prior to the release time. At step 320, thecontent server 130 can direct transmission of the content data via theselected pathway.

At optional step 324, the content server 130 can predict opportunitiesfor network access via available pathways during a second period of timethat is at or just before the planned release time for the content. Atoptional step 328, the content server 130 can determine how to downloadthe release data that is used for activating or ending the embargo ofthe content data that is preloaded into devices 116. In one embodiment,the content server 130 can embargo the content data from use at thedevice by requiring that the release data be available to the device 116for use in unlocking access to the content data. At step 332, thecontent server 130 can direct transmission of the release data via theselected pathway.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 3, it isto be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is notlimited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 400 for delivering media content. The communication system 400can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media system.Communication system 400 can be overlaid or operably coupled with system100-200 of FIGS. 1-2 as another representative embodiment ofcommunication system 400. For instance, one or more devices illustratedin the communication system 400 of FIG. 4, for monitoring access pointsthat are available to a device in advance of content release and thenselecting a network access point and time for download. The content canthen be preloaded into the device before it is needed. Release data canalso be loaded into the device to regulate access to the content by thedevice, where the release data can be used embargo the preloaded contentfrom access and use by the device until the release time and/or toenable use of the preloaded content by the device at the planned time ofrelease.

The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO) 410 withat least one super headend office server (SHS) 411 which receives mediacontent from satellite and/or terrestrial communication systems. In thepresent context, media content can represent, for example, audiocontent, moving image content such as 2D or 3D videos, video games,virtual reality content, still image content, and combinations thereof.The SHS server 411 can forward packets associated with the media contentto one or more video head-end servers (VHS) 414 via a network of videohead-end offices (VHO) 412 according to a multicast communicationprotocol.

The VHS 414 can distribute multimedia broadcast content via an accessnetwork 418 to commercial and/or residential buildings 402 housing agateway 404 (such as a residential or commercial gateway). The accessnetwork 418 can represent a group of digital subscriber line accessmultiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service areainterface that provide broadband services over fiber optical links orcopper twisted pairs 419 to buildings 402. The gateway 404 can usecommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 406 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 408 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 407 (such as aninfrared or RF remote controller).

The gateway 404, the media processors 406, and media devices 408 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, or other presentor next generation local or personal area wireless network technologies.By way of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invokedbetween the media processors 406 and subsystems of the IPTV media systemfor services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 429 can be used in the mediasystem of FIG. 4. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 400. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 415 that include mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 431 coupled to thebuilding 402. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver431 can be transferred to the media processors 406 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 408. The media processors 406 can be equipped with a broadbandport to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 432 to enableinteractive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 433 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system400. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 433 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services. System 400 enablesvarious types of interactive television and/or services including IPTV,cable and/or satellite.

The subject disclosure can apply to other present or next generationover-the-air and/or landline media content services system.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 430, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over the ISP network 432 towireline media devices 408 or wireless communication devices 416.Communication system 400 can also provide for all or a portion of thecomputing devices 430 to function as a content server (herein referredto as server 430). The server 430 can use computing and communicationtechnology to perform function 462, which can include among otherthings, the techniques described by method 300 of FIG. 3. For instance,function 462 of server 430 can be similar to the functions described forcontent server 130 of FIG. 1 in accordance with method 300. The mediaprocessors 406 and wireless communication devices 416 can be provisionedwith software functions 464 and 466, respectively, to utilize theservices of server 430. For instance, functions 464 and 466 of mediaprocessors 406 and wireless communication devices 416 can be similar tothe functions described for the media processor 106 and the mobilecommunication device 116 of FIG. 1 in accordance with method 300.

Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices overlandline technologies such as those described above. Additionally, mediaservices can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless accessbase station 417 operating according to common wireless access protocolssuch as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code Division Multiple Accessor CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA, Universal MobileTelecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability for Microwave orWiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and soon. Other present and next generation wide area wireless access networktechnologies can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 500employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 500 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith system 100-200 of FIGS. 1-2 and communication system 400 as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 400, for monitoringaccess points that are available to a device in advance of contentrelease and then selecting a network access point and time for download.The content can then be preloaded into the device before it is needed.Release data can also be loaded into the device to regulate access tothe content by the device, where the release data can be used embargothe preloaded content from access and use by the device until therelease time and/or to enable use of the preloaded content by the deviceat the planned time of release.

Communication system 500 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)540, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 530, and other networkelements of an IMS network 550. The IMS network 550 can establishcommunications between IMS-compliant communication devices (CDs) 501,502, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 503, 505, andcombinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF)520 coupled to a PSTN network 560. The MGCF 520 need not be used when acommunication session involves IMS CD to IMS CD communications. Acommunication session involving at least one PSTN CD may utilize theMGCF 520.

IMS CDs 501, 502 can register with the IMS network 550 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with aninterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF), which in turn, communicates with a ServingCSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with the HSS 540. To initiate acommunication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD 501 can submita Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message to an originatingP-CSCF 504 which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF506. The originating S-CSCF 506 can submit the SIP INVITE message to oneor more application servers (ASs) 517 that can provide a variety ofservices to IMS subscribers.

For example, the application servers 517 can be used to performoriginating call feature treatment functions on the calling party numberreceived by the originating S-CSCF 506 in the SIP INVITE message.Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, call IDblocking, calling name blocking, 7-digit dialing, and/or is requestingspecial telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel callforwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on). Based on initialfilter criteria (iFCs) in a subscriber profile associated with a CD, oneor more application servers may be invoked to provide various calloriginating feature services.

Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 506 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 530 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIP INVITEmessage to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS-compliant. The SIP URI can be used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 507 to submit a query to the HSS 540 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 514 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 502. Once identified, the I-CSCF 507 can submit theSIP INVITE message to the terminating S-CSCF 514. The terminating S-CSCF514 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 516 associated with theterminating CD 502. The P-CSCF 516 may then signal the CD 502 toestablish Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services,thereby enabling the calling and called parties to engage in voiceand/or data communications. Based on the iFCs in the subscriber profile,one or more application servers may be invoked to provide various callterminating feature services, such as call forwarding, do not disturb,music tones, simultaneous ringing, sequential ringing, etc.

In some instances the aforementioned communication process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 5 may be interchangeable. It is further noted that communicationsystem 500 can be adapted to support video conferencing. In addition,communication system 500 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs 501, 502with the multimedia and Internet services of communication system 400 ofFIG. 4.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such as CD503 or CD 505 (in instances where the cellular phone only supportscircuit-switched voice communications), the ENUM system 530 can respondwith an unsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originatingS-CSCF 506 to forward the call to the MGCF 520 via a Breakout GatewayControl Function (BGCF) 519. The MGCF 520 can then initiate the call tothe terminating PSTN CD over the PSTN network 560 to enable the callingand called parties to engage in voice and/or data communications.

It is further appreciated that the CDs of FIG. 5 can operate as wirelineor wireless devices. For example, the CDs of FIG. 5 can becommunicatively coupled to a cellular base station 521, a femtocell, aWiFi router, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) baseunit, or another suitable wireless access unit to establishcommunications with the IMS network 550 of FIG. 5. The cellular accessbase station 521 can operate according to common wireless accessprotocols such as GSM, CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, WiMax, SDR, LTE, and so on.Other present and next generation wireless network technologies can beused by one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. Accordingly,multiple wireline and wireless communication technologies can be used bythe CDs of FIG. 5.

Cellular phones supporting LTE can support packet-switched voice andpacket-switched data communications and thus may operate asIMS-compliant mobile devices. In this embodiment, the cellular basestation 521 may communicate directly with the IMS network 550 as shownby the arrow connecting the cellular base station 521 and the P-CSCF516.

Alternative forms of a CSCF can operate in a device, system, component,or other form of centralized or distributed hardware and/or software.Indeed, a respective CSCF may be embodied as a respective CSCF systemhaving one or more computers or servers, either centralized ordistributed, where each computer or server may be configured to performor provide, in whole or in part, any method, step, or functionalitydescribed herein in accordance with a respective CSCF. Likewise, otherfunctions, servers and computers described herein, including but notlimited to, the HSS, the ENUM server, the BGCF, and the MGCF, can beembodied in a respective system having one or more computers or servers,either centralized or distributed, where each computer or server may beconfigured to perform or provide, in whole or in part, any method, step,or functionality described herein in accordance with a respectivefunction, server, or computer.

The server 430 of FIG. 4 can be operably coupled to communication system500 for purposes similar to those described above. Server 430 canperform function 462 and thereby provide content distribution servicesto the CDs 501, 502, 503 and 505 of FIG. 5 similar to the functionsdescribed for content server 130 of FIG. 1 in accordance with method 300of FIG. 1. CDs 501, 502, 503 and 505, which can be adapted with softwareto perform function 572 to utilize the services of the server 430similar to the functions described for computer device 116B and mobilecommunication device 116 of FIG. 1 in accordance with method 300 of FIG.3. Server 430 can be an integral part of the application server 517performing function 574, which can be substantially similar to function462 and adapted to the operations of the IMS network 550.

For illustration purposes only, the terms S-CSCF, P-CSCF, I-CSCF, and soon, can be server devices, but may be referred to in the subjectdisclosure without the word “server.” It is also understood that anyform of a CSCF server can operate in a device, system, component, orother form of centralized or distributed hardware and software. It isfurther noted that these terms and other terms such as DIAMETER commandsare terms can include features, methodologies, and/or fields that may bedescribed in whole or in part by standards bodies such as 3^(rd)Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). It is further noted that some orall embodiments of the subject disclosure may in whole or in partmodify, supplement, or otherwise supersede final or proposed standardspublished and promulgated by 3GPP.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 602 of acommunication system 600. Communication system 600 can be overlaid oroperably coupled with systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1-2, communication system400, and/or communication system 500 as another representativeembodiment of systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1-2, communication system 400,and/or communication system 500. The web portal 602 can be used formanaging services of systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1-2 and communicationsystems 400-500. A web page of the web portal 602 can be accessed by aUniform Resource Locator (URL) with an Internet browser using anInternet-capable communication device such as those described in FIGS.1-2 and FIGS. 4-5. The web portal 602 can be configured, for example, toaccess a media processor 406 and services managed thereby such as aDigital Video Recorder (DVR), a Video on Demand (VoD) catalog, anElectronic Programming Guide (EPG), or a personal catalog (such aspersonal videos, pictures, audio recordings, etc.) stored at the mediaprocessor 406. The web portal 602 can also be used for provisioning IMSservices described earlier, provisioning Internet services, provisioningcellular phone services, and so on.

The web portal 602 can further be utilized to manage and provisionsoftware applications 462-466, and 572-574 to adapt these applicationsas may be desired by subscribers and/or service providers of systems100-200 of FIGS. 1-2, and communication systems 400-500. For instance,users of the services provided by content server 130 or server 430 canlog into their on-line accounts and provision the content server 130 orserver 430 with user profiles and/or contact information to enable it tocommunication with devices described in FIGS. 1-5, and so on. Serviceproviders can log onto an administrator account to provision, monitorand/or maintain the systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1-2 or server 430.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 700.Communication device 700 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4-5,and can be configured to perform portions of method 300 of FIG. 3.

Communication device 700 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 702 (herein transceiver 702), a user interface (UI) 704, apower supply 714, a location receiver 716, a motion sensor 718, anorientation sensor 720, and a controller 706 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 702 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1×, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 702 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 704 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 708 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device700. The keypad 708 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 700 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 708 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 704 can further include a display710 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 700. In anembodiment where the display 710 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 708 can be presented by way of the display 710 withnavigation features.

The display 710 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 700 can be adapted to present a user interface withgraphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a userwith a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 710 can be equippedwith capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology todetect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 710 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 700 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 704 can also include an audio system 712 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 712 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 712 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI704 can further include an image sensor 713 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 714 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 700 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable applications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 716 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 700 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 718can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 700 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 720 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device700 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 700 can use the transceiver 702 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 706 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 700.

Other components not shown in FIG. 7 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 700 can include a reset button (not shown). The reset button canbe used to reset the controller 706 of the communication device 700. Inyet another embodiment, the communication device 700 can also include afactory default setting button positioned, for example, below a smallhole in a housing assembly of the communication device 700 to force thecommunication device 700 to re-establish factory settings. In thisembodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paperclip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default setting button.The communication device 700 can also include a slot for adding orremoving an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)card. SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services,executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.

The communication device 700 as described herein can operate with moreor less of the circuit components shown in FIG. 7. These variantembodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

The communication device 700 can be adapted to perform the functions ofdevices of FIGS. 1 and/or 2, the media processor 406, the media devices408, or the portable communication devices 416 of FIG. 4, as well as theIMS CDs 501-502 and PSTN CDs 503-505 of FIG. 5. It will be appreciatedthat the communication device 700 can also represent other devices thatcan operate in systems of FIGS. 1 and/or 2, communication systems400-500 of FIGS. 4-5 such as a gaming console and a media player. Inaddition, the controller 706 can be adapted in various embodiments toperform the functions 462-466 and 572-574, respectively.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of theclaims described below. For example, content data can be preloaded intoa first device but not enabled. The content data can be embargoed fromuse by the first device until the content data is married to a secondinstance or circumstance, such as an occurrence of a date or time, amovement of the device to a particular location, a completion of a userauthentication at the device, an availability of a resource at thedevice, such as a display device for presenting content or a database.While the content remains embargoed on the device, it is safe fromunauthorized usage and the device acts a digital wallet or vault. Otherembodiments can be used in the subject disclosure.

It should be understood that devices described in the exemplaryembodiments can be in communication with each other via various wirelessand/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that aredescribed as coupled, connected and so forth, which can includeunidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless pathsand/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols ormethodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g.,no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediaryprocessing device such as a router).

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 800 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods described above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the content server 130, the media processor106, the mobile communication device 116, the computer device 116B, thepreloading policy database 164, and other devices of FIGS. 1, 2, and4-6. In some embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using anetwork 826) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machinemay operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in aserver-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in apeer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 800 may include a processor (or controller) 802(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit(GPU, or both), a main memory 804 and a static memory 806, whichcommunicate with each other via a bus 808. The computer system 800 mayfurther include a display unit 810 (e.g., a liquid crystal display(LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display). The computer system 800may include an input device 812 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 814 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 816, a signal generationdevice 818 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 820. In distributed environments, the embodiments described inthe subject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units810 controlled by two or more computer systems 800. In thisconfiguration, presentations described by the subject disclosure may inpart be shown in a first of the display units 810, while the remainingportion is presented in a second of the display units 810.

The disk drive unit 816 may include a tangible computer-readable storagemedium 822 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 824) embodying any one or more of the methods or functionsdescribed herein, including those methods illustrated above. Theinstructions 824 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 804, the static memory 806, and/or within theprocessor 802 during execution thereof by the computer system 800. Themain memory 804 and the processor 802 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Application specific integrated circuits andprogrammable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executingstate machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments ofthe subject disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus andsystems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronicand computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two ormore specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with relatedcontrol and data signals communicated between and through the modules,or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, theexample system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, theoperations or methods described herein are intended for operation assoftware programs or instructions running on or executed by a computerprocessor or other computing device, and which may include other formsof instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logiccomponents in an application specific integrated circuit or fieldprogrammable gate array. Furthermore, software implementations (e.g.,software programs, instructions, etc.) including, but not limited to,distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. It is furthernoted that a computing device such as a processor, a controller, a statemachine or other suitable device for executing instructions to performoperations or methods may perform such operations directly or indirectlyby way of one or more intermediate devices directed by the computingdevice.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 822 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure. The term “non-transitory” as in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage includes without limitation memories, drives,devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, Zigbee®), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used bycomputer system 800. In one or more embodiments, information regardinguse of services can be generated including services being accessed,media consumption history, user preferences, and so forth. Thisinformation can be obtained by various methods including user input,detecting types of communications (e.g., video content vs. audiocontent), analysis of content streams, and so forth. The generating,obtaining and/or monitoring of this information can be responsive to anauthorization provided by the user.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Theexemplary embodiments can include combinations of features and/or stepsfrom multiple embodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized and derivedtherefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figuresare also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to theexemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more ofthe exemplary embodiments. Further, the use of numerical terms todescribe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second,third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order or functionunless expressly stated so. The use of the terms first, second, thirdand so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components,steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, oneor more devices or components described with respect to the exemplaryembodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating(e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection)can include less than every step needed to perform the function or caninclude all of the steps needed to perform the function.

In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controlleror circuit) has been described that performs various functions. Itshould be understood that the processor can be multiple processors,which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in asingle machine or multiple machines. The processor can be used insupporting a virtual processing environment. The virtual processingenvironment may support one or more virtual machines representingcomputers, servers, or other computing devices. In such virtualmachines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may bevirtualized or logically represented. The processor can include a statemachine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmablegate array including a Field PGA. In one or more embodiments, when aprocessor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this caninclude the processor performing the operations directly and/orfacilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or componentto perform the operations.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a processing systemincluding a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance ofoperations, the operations comprising: determining a release date forcontent to be released to a plurality of mobile communication devices bya content server reachable through a first network; monitoringcommunications between each of the plurality of mobile communicationdevices and the first network via available pathways to generate ahistory of network connectivity associated with the plurality of mobilecommunication devices; based at least in part on the history of networkconnectivity, communicating first data between the content server andthe plurality of mobile communication devices using a plurality of theavailable pathways for each of the plurality of mobile communicationdevices to deliver the content to each of the mobile communicationdevices prior to the release date; and communicating second data to theplurality of mobile communication devices to unlock the content on therelease date.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the communicating thesecond data comprises communicating the second data to at least one ofthe plurality of mobile communication devices from a second networkdifferent from the first network.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein thefirst data is encrypted, and wherein the second data includes adecryption key.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the communicating thefirst data comprises: selecting a first pathway of the availablepathways according to the history of network connectivity; predictingaccording to the history of network connectivity, that the first pathwaywill not be available to transmit an entirety of the first data to afirst mobile communication device of the plurality of mobilecommunication devices, the first pathway associated with transmission ofa first portion of the first data; selecting, responsive to thepredicting, an alternate first pathway of the available pathways, thealternate first pathway associated with transmission of a second portionof the first data; and directing transmission of the first portion ofthe first data to the first mobile communication device from the firstnetwork via the first pathway and the second portion of the first datato the first mobile communication device from the first network via thealternate first pathway.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the directingthe transmission of the first portion of the first data is performedduring a first time period, the directing the transmission of the seconddata is performed during a second time period.
 6. The device of claim 4,wherein the first data is transmitted via the first pathway to a serverthat is accessible by the first mobile communication device, and whereinthe selecting of the alternate first pathway is according to the historyof network connectivity.
 7. The device of claim 4, wherein theoperations further comprise determining quality of network access forthe available pathways, wherein the first pathway is further selectedaccording to a first quality of network access for the first pathway. 8.The device of claim 7, wherein the first quality of network accesscomprises a resource loading associated with downloading the first datafrom the first network to the first mobile communication device via thefirst pathway.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations furthercomprise identifying the available pathways for the plurality of mobilecommunication devices to access the first network.
 10. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the first data comprises media content that becomesviewable after being enabled by the second data.
 11. A methodcomprising: determining, by a processing system including a processor, arelease date for content to be released to a plurality of mobilecommunication devices by a content server reachable through a firstnetwork; monitoring, by the processing system, communications betweeneach of the plurality of mobile communication devices and the firstnetwork via available pathways to generate a history of networkconnectivity associated with the plurality of mobile communicationdevices; based at least in part on the history of network connectivity,communicating, by the processing system, first data between the contentserver and the plurality of mobile communication devices using aplurality of the available pathways for each of the plurality of mobilecommunication devices to deliver the content to each of the mobilecommunication devices prior to the release date; and communicating, bythe processing system, second data to the plurality of mobilecommunication devices to unlock the content on the release date.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the communicating the second data comprisescommunicating the second data to at least one of the plurality of mobilecommunication devices from a second network different from the firstnetwork.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the first data isencrypted, and wherein the second data includes a decryption key. 14.The method of claim 11, wherein the communicating the first datacomprises: selecting, by the processing system, a first pathway of theavailable pathways according to the history of network connectivity;predicting, by the processing system, according to the history ofnetwork connectivity, that the first pathway will not be available totransmit an entirety of the first data to a first mobile communicationdevice of the plurality of mobile communication devices, the firstpathway associated with transmission of a first portion of the firstdata; selecting, by the processing system and responsive to thepredicting, an alternate first pathway of the available pathways, thealternate first pathway associated with transmission of a second portionof the first data; and directing, by the processing system, transmissionof the first portion of the first data to the first mobile communicationdevice from the first network via the first pathway and the secondportion of the first data to the first mobile communication device fromthe first network via the alternate first pathway.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the directing the transmission of the first portion ofthe first data is performed during a first time period, the directingthe transmission of the second data is performed during a second timeperiod.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining, bythe processing system, quality of network access for the availablepathways, wherein the first pathway is further selected according to afirst quality of network access for the first pathway.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the first quality of network access comprises aresource loading associated with downloading the first data from thefirst network to the first mobile communication device via the firstpathway.
 18. The method of claim 11, further comprising identifying, bythe processing system, the available pathways for the plurality ofmobile communication devices to access the first network.
 19. Anon-transitory, machine-readable storage medium, comprising executableinstructions that, when executed by a processing system including aprocessor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising: determininga release date for content to be released to a plurality of mobilecommunication devices by a content server reachable through a firstnetwork; monitoring communications between each of the plurality ofmobile communication devices and the first network via availablepathways to generate a history of network connectivity associated withthe plurality of mobile communication devices; based at least in part onthe history of network connectivity, communicating first data betweenthe content server and the plurality of mobile communication devicesusing a plurality of the available pathways for each of the plurality ofmobile communication devices to deliver the content to each of themobile communication devices prior to the release date; andcommunicating second data to the plurality of mobile communicationdevices to unlock the content on the release date.
 20. Thenon-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein thefirst data is encrypted, and wherein the second data includes adecryption key.